Panel manipulating device



Jan. 12, 1943. J SNYDER Z,38,118

PANEL MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed Dec" 30, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 6/4 5527' J. S/VmfiE.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 194 e, .1. SNYDER PANEL MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 30, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N VE N TOR. J 5/10 052.

Wi/W

ATTORNEYS.

Jam 1943- G. J. SNYDIVI'R; 2,368,118

PANEL MANIPULAT ING DEVI CE Filed Dec. 50. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT OR.

6/4 BEETJ. 5/1 70? BY ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 12, 1943. G NYDER 2,308,118

PANEL MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 30, 1939 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f ve-2 4i e F/G. 6. 4e 42 INVENTOR. 2/ 4 6/4 552711 5/10062.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UH'E'E- res FEE

Mastic Asphalt Corporation,

South Bend,

Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application December 30, 1939, Serial No. 311,916

6 Claims. (Cl. 198-34) This invention relates to panel manipulating devices and more particularly-to a device for manipulating a building covering panel during the.

process of manufacture thereof.

In the manufacture of buildin covering material of the type comprising a base formed of composition or insulation board which is coated with Weather ploOfing material to which mineral surfacing particles are applied and impressed for the purpose of providing a decorative appearance,

it is necessary that the panels take different po sitions with respect to each other while undergoing different phases of the manufacturing process. For example, during the time that the waterproofing material and the surfacing particles or grit are being applied to a face of the panel, it is desirable that the panels be moved through the machine in edge abutment. Thereafter while the waterproofing material is being cooled and set, and during the operation of im-- pressing ornamental designs on the coated face thereof, it is desirable that the panels be spaced apart. Also it is desirable that this manipula- I tion should be accomplished mechanically in order to achieve a high rate of production and to retain the cost of the finished product at the lowest possible figure,

Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a device for separating panels which are fed thereto in edge abutment and thereafter continue the feed of the panels inpredetermined spaced relation.

A further object is to provide a device of this character by means of which panels fed thereto in abutting relation may be separated and fed in controlled relation to a continuously operating conveyor unto which they are discharged by a separating means.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with means for automatically stopping the same if the panels are not properly positioned on the conveyor to which they are delivered by the separating means.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having separating means which include friction rollers operating at a speed higher than that at which the panels are fed thereto in edge abutment.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having novel means for releasing high speed separating rolls in the event panels buckle or overlap as fed thereto.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having panel supporting means comprising a plurality of spaced concentric disks which insure fiat positioning of a panel which is engaged by a pressure roll without requiring a substantial area of contact between the anel and the supporting means.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having novel means for separating panels coated with asphalt and grit, for pressing in the grit, and then feeding the panels in predetermined spaced relation.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of the device in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device as viewed from the right in Fig. l. 1

Fig. 4. is an end view of the device as viewed from the left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of the device in side elevation.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line ii6 of Fig. 5. Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l0 designates a frame of the device which comprises suitable interconnected side rails H and upright supporting members l2. A plurality of bearings l3 are carried by the frame 10 at one side thereof, as on suitable brackets l4, and serve to journal an elongated main drive shaft i5 which serves to drive the instant device and is preferably also connected with other parts of the panel processing mechanism.

Adjacent the feed end of the device as viewed 1 at the right in Figs. 1 and 2, are provided a plurality of supporting members It positioned between the frame rails H and journaling at I! spacedtransversely shafts it which carry a plurality of disks it. These disks it constitute idlers which are arranged in staggered relation pair is interconnected by a cross bar 22.

with respect to each other, and the uppermost portion thereof is positioned slightly above the upper edge of the side rails ll of the frame. Disks 19 are adapted to support panels 2%] fed from the right in Fig. 1 in edge abutment as illustrated.

Adjacent the disks I9, each side rail ll of the frame of the device mounts one or more pairs of spaced vertical guide members 2i, and each Each pair of guide members 21 is transversely aligned with similar guide members upon the opposite frame rail H, and each mounts a bearing 23 which is vertically adjustable on guides 2| and serves to journal one end of a shaft 24 on which a roller 25 is fixedly mounted.

Below each of the rollers 25 is mounted a bearing 25 which journals a shaft 21 and fixedly mounts a plurality of concentric disks 29 which are equally spaced on shaft 21, there being a plurality of said disks for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. Panels 2!) fed to the device on disks [9 are adapted to pass betweenthe disks 29 and the rollers 25.

Shaft 15 carries a bevel gear 30 with which a: bevel gear 31 mounted on a shaft 32 journaled in a bearing 33 carried by frame H- meshea Shaft 32 also mounts a gear 34.whichmes-hes with a gear 35 suitably journaledin.bearingsmot. shown) carried by the side rails. turn meshes with a gear 35,, mounted, on shaft 21, and a gear 3! is mountedon shaft 24*to-'nor'- mally mesh with gear 36. It will thus be seen that the roller 25 and disks 29 are positively driven from the main shaft l5-in timed relation.

In-the event there are two or more-set of rollers- 2-5'and disks 29 as illustrated, a suitablechain-or other driven means 38- maybe trained around suitable sprockets on" each of the driven shafts 2!- for the disks 25!; and other gears-may be provided to drive the shaft 24of 'each upper roller. 25 directly from the shaft 2 'l-therebelow.

Suitable means are provided for-controllingthe adjusted position ofthe' upper rollers-25 with respect to the disks 29-,- as best illustratedin Figs. 5 and 6. In this constructioneach of the-bearings 23 is provided'witha shaft ift-extending upwardly therefrom andencircled by'coil springs 41' whose opposite ends bear-upon the bearing '23 and the cross piece 22, respectively; Theupperend of shaft 46 extends freely-through the-cross piece 22 and has a threaded'connectionwith a shoe 42 which carries a yoke 4-3-fixedly secured thereto and constituting a camway. A circular member ordisk 44- is positioned-ineach-cam-way and has fixedly connected thereto-a transverse shaft 45-; In spaced relation -to-thedisk-44; a-di-sk 45' is concentrically mounted on shaft 45 and is provided with a pair ef-oppcsedelongated arcuate slots 4-1; A lever 48- is' fixedlymounted on. the shaft 45 adjacent disk- 46 and is provided with bolts 49* extending. through and fixedly securedto the disk-45-ats1ots 4-1; It'w-ill-thusbe observed that when the lever 48 is. rotated, the disk. 44; will likewise be rotated and theeccentric. mounting of. said disk 44.. with respect. to-shaft'. 4 5..con,-. stitutes a cam whereby. pivoting. of theileyer. 4B willserve to raise and lowerthe blockdzandyoke 43 constituting the cam-way, andthusraiseand lower the, shaft ML and bearings. 23. Lever 48 may be provided with a suitable, handle 5,0 for convenient operation thereof. Cross piece 2 I has mounted thereon a stop member 5| in which is threaded a set screw 52 preferably having a knurledhead. A lock nut 53 may be threaded on the set screw 52. Screw 52 serves to hold the arm 48 in desired operative position from which the arm may be readily manually shifted for the purpose of operating the cam disk 44 to raise the bearings 23 and rollers 25 as will be obvious.

Adjacent the innermost of the idler rollers l9 which support the panels 20 at the feed'end'of the unit, is positioned a pair of suitable sprockets mounted on a shaft 6| journaled in suitable bearings 62carried by the frame rails l I. Below and slightly rearwardly from sprockets 6i) andvertically aligned therewith are similarsprockets 63' mounted on a shaft'64journaled in bearings 65 depending from the frame rails H. A pair Gear 35; in;

of chains 66 extend over said sprockets, the upper runs 61 of said chains extending horizontally rearwardly of the unit with their upper surfaces substantially aligned with the upper surfaces of the rollers IS. The lower runs 68 of the chains extend horizontally below the frame rail l l The chains 66 carry connecting bars 69 which are adapted to engage the rear ends of panels 20 mounted on the upper runs 610i the chains, and also carry bars 1!] extending between the chains and adapted to abut the undercut front edges of panels 20 mounted on the upper runs of the chains. Atleast one of the sprockets (not shown) around-which. the, chains 66 run, and preferably pends.

. at. the-left-hand end of the chains, as viewed in 1-; is; adaptedfor; driving connection with the main shaft l5 of the device as will be obvious.

Slightlyrearwardly spaced from the sprockets GiLare-a pair of presser members TI, 12. The lower member ll constitutes a series of spaced concentric disks mounted on ashaft 13 journaled in suitable bearings i 4: carried 'by the frame rails I l. The-uppen member 12 constitutes a roller mounted on a shaft 15' which is journaled in bearings lfi slidable in suitable vertical guides 11. Each-set of guides- T 'l carries abridge: or cross-piece 18' at the-upperend thereof' against which presses the upper end-of acoil spring 19- encircling a shaft-83 from whichbearing- W de- Shaft extends intoa ear housing 8!- having gearing controlled bya hand-- wheel 82 for'the purpose-of raising andlowering shaft 89- and roller T21 Roller 72-has-fixedly associated; therewith a gear 83- of greater diameter than it selfand member H has-a similar gear 84 fixedly associated therewith, said gears 83 and -84 being' adapted to -mesh when members H and 12 are spaced apart the desired-thickness'of the panel-- 2i Frame railll carries a bearing 85journal- ;inga shaft 8t-.which mounts a bevel gear 81 meshing witlrabevel gear 8 3 -'on shaft I5. Shaft. 86 also' mounts a spur gear B t adapted to mesh with gear 84- and 'therebyrotat'e said gear 84and the gear-83 intimed relation to the shaft. The

. members?! and-l2 constitutemeans-forpressing coating material, suchasasphalt and g-rit' previously applied to the panel, into-given relation tothe panel to control over-alt panel thickness.

Inrearwardly spaced; relation to the members H, 12; each of the frame rails H carrybrackets QWat their upper ends, andthesebracketsin-turn carry leaf springs 91 which are-bent inwardly from the brackets m the direction of travel of a panel on the-chains 68; with their free: ends 92' being-bent outwardly; The free ends 920% the-- springs- 9I- arespaced apart a distance slig-htly less than thewidth of the panels 20;: wherebyeach panel conveyed On chains 68" which reachessaid springs, is retarded thereby; However; the springs are of such strength thattheir retardingaction is readily overcome withoutdamaging the panel 20 when one-of the cross bars-'69 comes positively into contact with therear end'ofthe' panel 2|- to urge the same past-'such springs.

Rearwardly of the spring 9'l;.isa suitable switch 93'-whichis electrically connected with=the motor. (not-shown) for driving theshaft I5 Switch 93 is carried by the frame ID of the unit, preferably: on oneof the side rails. I l below the upper edge thereof. Switch 93=has asu-itable. pivoted operating arm 94. The upper edges of the rails. II: carry suitable brackets 95 which journal'a=.trans.-, verse shaft-95. shaftsfiimounts an arms?! adjacent eachend thereof, and: the. free ends of, arms SI journal a roller 98 whichis normally;

positioned with its lowermost portion adapted to either ride upon or to be just above the upper surface of a panel 29. Shaft 96 also mounts an arm 99 which has its free end connected by a spring I90 with a rail ll. Shaft 96 also mounts a depending arm Hll adapted to contact a lever 94. V

In the operation of the device, panels 29 are fed to the unit in edge abutting relation by suitable means, (not shown), with said panels supported on the rollers [9. When the panels reach the separating rolls 25, which operate at high speed, they are individually propelled at increased speed and discharged from rollers I9 onto the chains 66, and pass between the pressing members H, 12. After discharge of the panels from the pressing rolls, the panels are carried forwardly by the chains 66 until they contact the springs 91. If, at the time each panel 2!) contacts springs 9|, the rear end thereof is not being positively engaged by one of the presser bars 69, the springs 9| serve to retard the movement thereof on chains 96 until the succeeding presser bar 69 does contact the rear edge of panel 20. The presser bars 69 are so spaced from the preceding cross bar 19 that a panel will be effectively engaged at its opposite ends by said bars 69, 19. However, if the retarding action of the springs 9|, or any other reason, causes the panels 28 to assume a tilted position, as for example a position with one end of a panel overlapping one of the bars 69, 19, or overlapping an adjacent panel 29, the increased height of the panel 29 as compared with its normal position upon the chains 66 will serve to bring it into engagement with the roller 98. This will raise the roller 98 to upwardly pivot the arms 91 against the action of spring lfiil and thereby pivot the arm l] in a manner to actuate the switch arm 94 and the switch 93. Assuming that the normal position of the switch 93 is closed circuit position, arm 94 will be pivoted by arm It! to open circuit position, thereby stopping the drive motor to the shaft l5 and automatically stopping the herein described unit and all other units which are driven by the shaft l5. Hence all possibility of jamming of panels in feeding thereof to the chain 66 from edge abutting to spaced relation is positively prevented.

The construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 by which the upper rollers 25 of the separator section of the device may be released in the event the panels being fed to the unit in edge abutment either buckle or slide with relation to each other to overlapping relation, constitutes a further safety device for the unit. That is, the levers E8 constitute means for disengaging the separating rolls 25 from the panels to prevent damage to the panels. It will be understood, of course, that when the rolls 25 are released, the machine may be stopped by any suitable means, as by manual operation of the adjacent control switch 93. In this way, the unit provides a simple and effective mechanism for separating panels fed thereto in edge abutting relation, while continuing their movement in the same direction. Hence panel processing, as pressing the coating thereof by members H and I2, is continued in proper sequence and timing without interference by reason of the separating action.

The formation of each of the members or units 29, H and H! which support the coated panels while beneath the rollers and 12, from spaced concentric discs, is of considerable importance in a device of this character. The multiple point contact between the discs'and the panel permits full lateral support of the panel, while at the same time limiting the extent of contact. Consequently, if asphalt or other coating material flows around the panel to the lower surface thereof during the coating thereof, minimum danger of sticking of the panel to the apparatus is encountered; and hence there is but small likelihood that the apparatus will be jammed in operation by reason of such sticking or adhesion.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of rotating panel contacting members, means for feeding panels in edge abutment between said members, said members having a circumferential speed exceeding the speed of said feed means, a conveyor receiving panels discharged by said rotating members, spaced panel-engaging means on said conveyor, and means for releasably gripping said panels while on said conveyor until engaged by said panel-engaging means.

2. Means for propelling a fibrous composition panel, comprising a frame, a conveyor shiftable on said frame, means for feeding panels to said conveyor at intervals, spaced abutments on said conveyor adapted for engagement with an edge of a panel on said conveyor, means for driving said conveyor, a normally operative controller for said drive means, and means shiftably carried by said frame for actuating said controller, said last named means being positioned adjacent to and clear of the normal path of said panels on said conveyor when said panels are in operative edge engagement with an abutment.

3. Means for propelling a compacted fibrous panel, comprising a frame, a conveyor shiftable on said frame, means for feeding panels to said conveyor in spaced relation, panel-engaging abutments on said conveyor, means for driving said conveyor, normally inoperative means for stopping said drive means, a member shiftable on said frame and adapted to actuate said stopping means, and means for normally positioning said shiftable member adjacent to and clear of the normal path of movement of panels on said conveyor when in operative edge-engagement with an abutment.

4. Means for propelling a compacted fibrous panel comprising a frame, a conveyor shiftable on said frame, means for consecutively feeding panels in said conveyor, panel-engaging abutments on said conveyor, drive means for said conveyor, and means for stopping said drive means including a switch, a bell-crank pivoted on said frame and adapted to actuate said switch, and spring means for normally positioning said bellcrank with one part thereof adjacent to and clear of the upper surface of a panel in normal position on said conveyor.

5. In combination, an elongated frame, a plu-' rality of longitudinally spaced parallel idler rollers journaled transversely of the forward end portion of said frame, said rollers supporting horizontal panels propelled in edge abutment, a pair of driven rotatable members journaled transversely in said frame in spaced relation to and between adjacent rollers, said members engaging upper and lower faces of said panels and rotating at a speed greater than the speed at which said panels are propelled, said lower member comprising a plurality of spaced discs, a longitudinal conveyor carried by said frame and extending from a point adjacent the innermost conveyor, spaced parallel transverse panel-engaging said conveyor for releasaloly restraining movement of a panel by *said conveyor'until'an abutment engages thetrailing edge of said panel, said conveyor and feed'means'being actuated by a common'prime mover, and means for controlling said prime mover positioned adjacent the normal path of movement of a panel on said conveyor, said control means being actuable to inoperative position by a panel overlying an abutment.

GILBERT J. SNYDER. 

